Jones backs Warburton

Ryan Jones has tipped Sam Warburton to bounce back following his omission from the Wales team to face Italy in the RBS 6 Nations.

Warburton missed the 16-6 victory over France due to a shoulder injury and interim head coach Rob Howley has kept faith with the starting XV that triumphed in Paris.

Jones will continue to lead Wales in Warburton's absence and he is confident the flanker will rise again.

"Sam is the Wales captain and he is a bright kid with a bright future," said Jones.

"It has amazed me the reaction this issue has had because Sam's role within the squad does not change.

"I have a huge amount of respect for Sam as a player, bloke and captain and we have spoken about a number of things."

Jones will skipper Wales for the 31st time when Howley's men take on the Azzurri in Rome and he knows all about the pressures that come with the job.

"It is a role you grow into and can draw on past experience," said Jones.

"It is a wonderful accolade and has always meant the world to me and my family and friends. I have to admit I never grew up dreaming of being Wales captain.

"It is a job I always held in high esteem, but it was never something I strived for and growing up I was never captain of teams.

"I would also be lying if I said I never thought that sometimes life would be better without the captaincy.

"But I hold the job with such respect I would never say I didn't want to do it. It means the world to me and it is only when you lose it that you realise its value.

"The most difficult thing about the captaincy is when you are going through personal turmoil.

"It is easy to be captain when you are winning and playing well because everything falls into place.

"But when you start losing or when you feel you are not personally playing well, that is when it becomes difficult.

"You start to worry about your standing within the group but that becomes easier to cope with age.

"One of the toughest things about being Wales captain is that it is a tag you don't leave at the door when you go home at night. It is an all-encompassing job that affects your family and friends because they become embroiled in it.

"But you would be naive not to realise that when you accept the job. You just have to realise the magnitude of it.

"What still amazes me is you still have that title whether you have the job or not. I am still referred to as the Wales captain even when Sam is. It is a title that never changes."

The Ospreys stalwart is happy step into Warburton's boots again but he insists it does not change his role within the Welsh set-up.

"It is not something that is an issue for me and I feel the same whether I am just playing or captain," added Jones.

"I will do the same things if I have the tag or not. It is a role you are only keeping warm for someone else.

"Whether you retire injured or not selected, it will go to someone else eventually and you have to pass on the baton.

"I can do this role because of my age and experience and you have to be able to switch in and out sometimes."

Actor and Millennium Stadium Tour Guide Gareth Bale has been performing his one-man play about Wales rugby legend Ray Gravell across Wales. He chats to WRU TV before taking his show to the Edinburgh Festival.

Coach Richard Hodges is hoping Wales U20 can put a disappointing campaign behind them when they tackle Japan tomorrow as they look to finish the U20 Championship strongly to secure a good seeding for next year's tournament.

Wales U20 coach Richard Hodges is targeting three wins from three games in the Under 20 Championship after suffering defeat to England on Saturday. However, as WRU TV's Liz Jones discovers, he is concerned about the threat Japan pose tomorrow.

Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards is looking for physical and mental toughness from the 47-man World Cup training squad which was revealed yesterday and he added he is looking forward to seeing which players are prepared to dig the deepest.

Wales Under 18 head coach Geraint Lewis will take a squad of 26 to South Africa on Monday to play two matches against South Africa and one against Italy as part of an eight day international tournament.

Rival captains Sam Warburton and Paul O'Connell are both achieving major milestones in the vital RBS 6 Nations clash between Wales and Ireland as both attempt to be party poopers for each other's personal celebrations.